The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that a high-level Saudi delegation will begin arriving in the Maldives on Friday ahead of the official inauguration of the Makkah Route Initiative, which will be launched on May 26.

The initiative is being introduced for the first time to facilitate Maldivian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

A total of 42 senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Foreign Ministry, and immigration authorities are scheduled to participate in the inauguration. The delegation will be led by Lieutenant General Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Makkah Route Initiative.

According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline travel and immigration processes, offering a smoother and more efficient Hajj experience for pilgrims. Under the programme, Maldivian pilgrims will complete all Saudi immigration and health formalities before departing from the Maldives. This will enable them to bypass extensive procedures upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed stated that services under the initiative will include biometric data collection, electronic visa issuance, health and safety checks, luggage tagging, and boarding pass issuance prior to departure. Once in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims will be transported directly to their accommodation, with their luggage delivered to their rooms.

The Ministry noted that the Maldives’ inclusion in the Makkah Route Initiative reflects the strengthening bilateral ties between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, and represents a significant achievement for the current Administration.